Single-chain Fv immunoliposomes for the targeting of fibroblast activation protein-expressing tumor stromal cells

Tumor stromal cells have gained increasing attention as possible target for cancer therapy. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) represents a cell surface antigen selectively expressed by reactive tumor stromal fibroblasts of various cancers. Here, we describe anti-FAP immunoliposomes as carrier systems for active targeting of FAP-expressing cells. As targeting ligand we used single-chain Fv (scFv) molecules cross-reacting with human and mouse FAP. These scFv molecules were genetically modified to express an additional cysteine residue at the C-terminus allowing a defined and site-directed conjugation. Coupling to Mal-PEG(2000)-DSPE containing liposomes resulted in sterically stabilized scFv immunoliposomes showing strong and specific binding to FAP-expressing cells. These immunoliposomes were highly stable when incubated under physiological conditions (human plasma, 37 degrees C). In addition, we could show that binding to FAP-expressing cells leads to internalization of intact liposomes into the endosomal compartment. Thus, these anti-FAP scFv immunoliposomes should be suitable for target cell-specific delivery and uptake of encapsulated drugs.